Batman Theater Slaughter: Would Gun Control Laws Have Prevented it?

After every major shooting, the gun control advocates can be counted on to ask "NOW can't you see the need for gun control?" But does gun control really make sense?

Would gun control have prevented this slaughter? I doubt it. Guns will continue to be available for the person determined to get one, and the kind of person who does something like the Colorado movie theater shooting would be determined.

The problem isn't the weapon, it's the intent, and there are plenty of other ways to kill. There are even plenty of ways to kill en masse. A bomb brought into the theater could have killed more as could an incendiary device. In other contexts, there's poisoning food or water.

Is the cause of gun violence really the availability of guns or is it the nature of the people who use them? Other countries have similar or greater rates of gun possession (I believe both Israel and Switzerland have higher rates), but they don't have nearly the rate of gun violence.

The difference in gun violence between Switzerland and the United States comes down to the difference between the Swiss people and Americans, and I don't see Americans changing in any fundamental way anytime soon.

Replies to This Discussion

Hahahahahaha...I'm sorry, Rambo and Die Hard, yes, those are some examples of quality films. Thank you for that. Hollywood should stop making all fantasy and superhero films and just concentrate on more Die Hard clones. Because John McClane doesn't wear a costume, it's much better. In fact, you know what was great? The Expendables. No costumes. That movie should have won an Oscar.

In our age of computer graphics and "wow" factor the thirst for sensationalism is at an all time high. I tend to grow bored with all the special effects and overexposed story line. But you have to feed the monster and it is paying well.

I consider anyone who walks into a crowded movie theater and fires upon innocent civilians crazy, despite which movie they were going to see. I doubt the gunman was motivated by the Batman movies (which, of the superhero genre of films, I consider quite well made) and probably would have struck at some other crowded location had the midnight showing not been available to him.

Even you can't believe that! The computer graphics are incredible, it's a chance for kids to see their comic books come to life, and it's good, wholesome, escapist entertainment, - nothing "'B' movie" about it.

If no one thought they were worth watching, they wouldn't pay to see them and they would not make any more. Seen a lot of singing, dancing musicals lately? No, because their popularity faded, and unless they bring a particularly popular Broadway show to the screen, for those who would otherwise never see it, they just don't make those anymore.

I have no problems with people having a hand gun for protection or a rifle for hunting but should the average person be allowed access to powerful automatic military style weapons over the counter? Maybe some control is needed in that area?

Reg - I've seen StreetSweepers for sale in a gun shop. (For those who don't know what a StreetSweeper is, it's a 12-gauge shotgun, with a 1940's Tommygun-style disk mounted in the middle that feeds ammunition for rapid fire.)

Behind every chemistry or physics nerd there lies a possible pyro with delusions of grandure. I think knowledge demands deep responsibility. Knowing that there is more than enough ugliness already, is a good place to start!